16:53 Belarusians can’t go abroad from Russia

Russian border guard will receive a data base of people, restricted to leave Belarus, General-Mayor Igar Rachkouski, head of the State Frontier Committee, said journalists in Minsk.

15:20 For courage and spiritual deed

The National Human Rights Award in 2007 has been conferred today by the organizing committee of the Charter’97. Ivona Matsukevich, the head of the parish committee of St. Joseph’s church has been awarded in the category “For defense of human rights and Christian values”. She is the chairperson of the committee of St. Joseph’s parish in Minsk. The creative association “Pahonya” has been awarded in the category “For defense of human rights and freedom of artistic creativity”. The winner in the category “For personal courage in human rights protection” is a human rights activist and wife of a political prisoner, Tastyana Klimava-Leanovich.

14:42 Deputy Economy Minister: “There won’t be mass sales of public property to Russians”

Russia’s decision to grant Belarus a $1.5 billion stabilization loan is not subject to Russians’ claims to Belarusian public property, told at a press-conference in Minsk a deputy economy minister of Belarus Aleh Melnikau who is in charge of privatization issues.

14:26 Belarus to buy Russia’s S-400 from

Russia’s ambassador to Belarus Aleksandr Surikov said in the interview to Russian edition “Vremya Novostei” the military cooperation of the two countries “is in good progress” and mentioned as an example the fact that Belarus is going to buy Russia’s new anti-missile weapon system S-400, which Russia sells our country at inner prices.

11:58 Vintsuk Vyachorka: «Belarusians pay for actions of authorities»

Increasing visa prices for Belarus and more difficult visa procedure in the result of the Schengen zone expansion is the result of administrative dereliction.

9:40 Dead failure in Shklou

Opening of Shklou plant of newspaper paper has gone smash.

9:28 Vyachaslau Siuchyk: «It was most shameful trial in history of dictatorship»

Civil activist Vyachaslau Siuchyk was present in the court room till the end of the trial over the Young Front activist. “It was the most shameful trial in the history of Lukashenka’s dictatorship. We can’t speak about any rights here at all. It is mockering of Belarusians and Belarus. Of course, it’s a pity that the authorities can afford Artur Finkevich to be imprisoned for 1.5 year,” the politician said.

9:05 Freedom for political prisoners! (Photo)

Banners with requirement to free political prisoners appeared in Minsk on the day when youth leader Artur Finkevich had trial. Activists of the civil campaign “Jeans for Freedom!” fixed them to the railway bridges over Druzhnaya and Magilouskaya Street.

8:20 Schengen zone expanded to Belarusian borders

Schengen zone will expand to the Belarusian borders on 21 December: Poland, Lithuania, Latvia as well as Estonia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia and Malta will join the border-free zone. The official celebration of expansion the Schengen area is taking place in Tallinn today. The EU delegation headed by European Commission president Jose Manuel Barrosso and Portugal PM Jose Socrates will take part in the celebration. Portugal is president of the EU now.